FAI selects Collins Aerospace’s VenueTM for ‘Project Pearl’ – a significant Global Express Refurbishment

Wednesday 27th March 2019

Nuremberg, Germany-based MRO, FAI Technik GmbH, part of the FAI Aviation Group, has selected Collins Aerospace’s latest Venue^TM cabin management system and high definition entertainment system for its latest Bombardier BD700 Global Express cabin refurbishment project, named “Project Pearl.” 

Project Pearl represents one of the most extensive refurbishment projects for the type. The five month project will include 60, 120 and 240-month inspections and a full cabin refurbishment featuring the new Collins Aerospace Venue.  Passengers can enjoy watching HD movies and listen to enhanced digital audio throughout the cabin. Venue can broadcast a range of other high-resolution content.  The project also includes the installation of Honeywell´s Ka-Band broadband technology, delivering ultra-high-speed satellite connectivity.

The architect of the cabin project is German designer Tim Callies, who is well known for his work on Airbus ACJ, Boeing BBJ and Bombardier Global Express interiors.  The luxury interior will feature VIP seating for 12 passengers and include stylish two tone leather seating and two three-seat sofas covered in Armani fabric. Additional modifications and upgrades include new cabinetry, cobalt black metal plating, granite table tops, the latest galley appliances to include a wine cooler, coffee maker and oven and stylish heated stone floors in the galley and toilet area. This will be followed by a newly designed exterior paint scheme.

Priced at USD $ 10.95 m, this unique turnkey Global Express should be very attractive to potential clients flying on business or leisure trips.

Siegfried Axtmann, Founder and Chairman of FAI Aviation Group comments: “We are very much looking forward to presenting this unique aircraft to the pre-owned Global Express market in April.  FAI Technik continues to stretch the boundaries to extend its remit in MRO and this latest project demonstrates our outstanding capabilities in refurbishing Global Express aircraft.”

Project Pearl is FAI´s sixth in-house Global Express cabin refurbishment and its third installation of Honeywell´s Ka-band technology on a BD700.

In January 2018, FAI Technik was appointed as an Authorized Dealer for Collins Aerospace  avionics and cabin electronics equipment.

The FAI Aviation Group will participate at EBACE in Geneva 21-23 May, 2019,  Avinode Stand #B71.

About FAI Aviation Group

FAI Aviation Group operates Germany's largest fleet of business jets and utilised 13,000 hours of air time in 2018. FAI´s group fleet of 25 jet aircraft and one turboprop includes  seven Bombardier Global Express, five Bombardier Challenger 604s, one Challenger 850,  11 Learjet 60 series, plus one Premier 1A and one King Air 350. Headquartered at Albrecht Duerer Intl. Airport in Nuremberg, Germany, FAI runs a 14,000 m² carbon neutral FBO.

FAI Aviation Group employs a full-time staff of 200 people, including 60 mechanics and engineers at its in-house MRO plus some 50 part-time physicians and paramedics.

The Nuremberg headquarters is supported by a sales and support office in Dubai, offering operational advantages in the Middle East. The company also operates a satellite office in Miami in support of its sales and acquisition activities in the Americas.

FAI was the recipient of the Diamond Safety of Flight Award from the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) in May 2018 marking the highest safety recognition awarded by EBAA to member companies operating business aircraft for 50 years or 100,000 hours without an accident. In autumn 2018 FAI Aviation Group scooped “Germany´s Best Airline” accolade in the 2018 Focus Money Awards.